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Cape Town, South Africa

Medical Volunteering in South Africa

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Trip Highlights

Get to work and intern in healthcare centers and clinics for out-patients in Cape Town and surrounding suburban towns
Assist staff in day-to-day work under professional guidance
Work closely with social workers, and counselors
Work with medical/Pre-medical students/professionals from across the globe
Hands-on work includes wound dressing, Blood pressure, pulse, and temperature measurements, Weighing patients and maintaining records
Provide help in understaffed health clinic through expertise and skill-set
Explore Cape Town on weekends. Visit Table Mountain, Robben Island, Lion’s Head, etc.

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Overview Program Requirements Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities Volunteer Work Schedule Living Costs Dates Reviews

Overview

Volunteers joining the Medical and Healthcare Program in South Africa work in healthcare clinics and centers located in Cape Town as well as suburban community areas. Day hospitals and health care centers provide medical care to the local community members.

These are facilities for the poorer people or people who in general can't afford private medical care. The services provided are of a minor nature and they cater for out-patients. No major operations are performed here. Various awareness and support programs are also offered at the clinics. Some of these include HIV / AIDS awareness, special childcare and healthy living (nutrition) as day-to-day medical care.

Counseling services are also offered at these centers. The medical staff includes nurses, doctors, social workers, and counselors, etc. This is an amazing opportunity for medical students practitioners looking for international work experience.

Volunteers can also concentrate on other areas within the clinic; such as special awareness and information programs. Counseling sessions and programs are also offered and medical volunteers can observe and get some exposure in this area. This is a very challenging environment but would offer an opportunity to assist in various areas within the clinic.

It is important that medical volunteers first get acquainted with the environment and assist wherever help is required. Also, keep in mind that some of these centers are understaffed and might seem chaotic at times. Busy times will vary and you should be willing to adapt in these instances. Volunteers are also expected and encouraged to use their initiative at the project.

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Medical volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report, CV as well as other documents pertaining to their qualifications prior to joining the program.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer tasks under the medical and healthcare program in South Africa may vary and depend on the level of experience, qualifications,medical training etc. If you have experience in the medical or health profession you might do tasks and activities which include the following:

Wound dressing under direct supervision of nursing staff.
Blood pressure, pulse and temperature measurements (if competent).
Assist patients with activities such as getting them from one service point to another.
Weighing patients, holding babies/adults to be weighed.
General assistance to the medical staff wherever required, and wherever experience and expertise allow.
Pre Medical students assist the local doctors and staff in doing basic tasks such as checking weight and temperature of the patients, cleaning wounds and also doing administrative tasks in the placement.

Note: Your task and duty summary sheet may change upon arrival at your project.

Volunteer Work Schedule

A typical volunteer schedule in Cape Town depends on the accommodation provided to the volunteers. Volunteering Solutions provide accommodation in Cape Town with a local host family or a at a volunteer house; depending upon the availability of rooms. Volunteers, too, are given a choice to choose from the two kinds of accommodations. While the volunteer house is located in the city area, the host family resides on the outskirts of the mainland Cape Town. The schedule for the volunteers remains as follows;

Sunday - Arrival at Cape Town (all volunteers stay in volunteer house for the first day)
Monday - Orientation + transfer to the respective accommodations. Orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behaviour, food, and other suggestion over things to do in South Africa, Cape Town.
Tuesday to Fri - Volunteer work
- Breakfast - 06:30 am to 07:30 am (provided at the accommodation)
- Leave for the project - 07:30 am
- Working hours at the placement - 08:00 am to 03:00 pm
- Lunch - 12:30 pm to 02:00 onwards (volunteers staying in the volunteer house need to manage lunch on their own)
- Dinner - 06:00 pm onwards (at host family accommodation)

Volunteers living at volunteer house accommodation eat out a nearby restaurant or cook food with other volunteers at the accommodation.
The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards
Weekends - Free to explore the city, and do activities such as;

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on.

Living

Volunteering Solutions makes great efforts to provide best of living standards to its volunteers. In Cape Town, our international volunteers are picked up from the airport and put in volunteer houses or with host families, equipped with all modern amenities. We also make sure that we help our volunteers with their local requirements, sightseeing or weekend tours.

Airport Transfer

Volunteers are picked up from the Cape Town International Airport by a representative and transferred to the volunteers hostel accommodation by a shuttle transfer. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in South Africa will have to arrive at the accommodation on own and will not be provided with a pickup.

Orientation

A half day orientation will be provided by the local staff on the program start date. The orientation would cover topics such as introduction to the program,General information about South Africa,Safety Tips / Guidelines,customs,health guidelines, communities, projects, host families, support services, travel and tours.Participants also receive a Walking City Tour which is a 2 hour walk around the City Centre area.

Accommodation

Volunteering Solutions arranges accommodation for volunteers in a Volunteer hostel or in home stays in local communities. The Volunteer hostel is a dormitory-style accommodations situated in Observatory area of Cape Town.The rooms in the hostel typically have 4-8 people per room.The Observatory accommodation is located in a beautiful suburb of Cape Town, about 20 minutes from the city center. The hostel is perfectly situated close to shops, restaurants, public transport, and some of the best beaches in the world! The areas are also very safe.

Living in the hostel is a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” because you will meet and live with many other volunteers from all over the globe. It’s a great opportunity to make lifelong friends and learn about different cultures. Each day you will travel to your project, usually by mini-bus taxi which is a very cheap and efficient way to travel in Cape Town, and is also a lot of fun! After you finish your project for the day you usually spend your evenings doing different activities with the other volunteers in the house like, movie nights in the lounge or having a braai, which is a South African barbeque.

When staying with a host family while volunteering in South Africa you will live in one of the local communities of Cape Town. There you will experience life of a typical South African family which will be a great cultural experience. You will travel a short distance to your project in the morning and in the evenings you will spend time bonding with your host family. On the weekends you can either spend your leisure time with your host family or book yourself into a backpacker in town to explore the city centre during the day and experience Cape Town night life.

Meals

Volunteers staying at the hostel accommodation are provided with self-service breakfast at the hostel on weekdays (Monday – Friday).Supplies such as cereals,eggs,bread with various toppings, coffee/tea, selection of fruits are provided.Lunch, dinner and weekend meals are not included but can be eaten out at any of the affordable eateries or ordered to home as well. Volunteers can also purchase supplies locally and prepare meals in the house kitchen.

For those staying in a host family, you will be provided 3 meals a day, prepared by your host. Breakfast before your project, a packed lunch to take with you and a delicious home cooked meal for dinner.

During your Free Time

Cape Town has so much to offer for travellers and there is a lot to do on the weekends and during the free time. Volunteers usually take the Garden Route tours on the weekend or explore the beautiful beaches of Cape Town. You can also do a full day Cape Point Tour and head south to Cape of Good Hope. On a free day you can do a trek upto Table Mountain or just chill out at the Waterfront area. There is a lot to do and you will never have a dull day in the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Dates

2023

2024

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Past Date

Available

Unavailable

Filling Fast

Costs

2 Weeks £461

3 Weeks £605

4 Weeks £744

5 Weeks £884

6 Weeks £1023

7 Weeks £1163

8 Weeks £1302

Extra Week £140

Please Note: -An application fee of £179 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 4% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)

What are you Paying for?

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Airport Pickup from Cape Town International Airport
Orientation
Meals (Depending on the type of accommodation)
Accommodation in Volunteer house or host family
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

Airfare
Visa Fee
Return Airport Drop(Can be arranged at extra cost)
Daily Project Transportation
Vaccinations

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

: It is advised to apply for the projects once the volunteering/ traveling dates are decided as there are limited spots available. We majorly follow the first come first serve policy. As soon as you decide the travel dates, we suggest you apply for the program and hold your spot.
: Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and the booking confirmation will be updated in your My Account and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).
: Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Cape Town, South Africa volunteer projects:
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project.
Volunteers joining the medical volunteer project must be either Pre-Medical, Medical or Nursing student or possess other qualifications related to medical and nursing field such as CNA or EMT. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are also welcome to join the program.
The participants need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
Clean Criminal Background Check Report for participants joining Childcare and Teaching Projects.
The participant must be in good health.
: Yes, you are welcome to take part in South Africa Volunteer Program as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the volunteering programs. Volunteering Solutions has hosted large student groups as well as families coming to volunteer in the program. We have hosted groups from universities in the UK, the USA as well as other countries.
: Yes, most definitely you can as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.
: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The Certificate is provided on request.
: All volunteers need to arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) on the program starting date i.e Sunday.

The assigned driver from a backpacker airport pickup service would be waiting for you with a signboard in the arrivals area and you would then be transferred to a hostel accommodation in the city. A brief orientation session takes place on Monday morning.
: The projects are placed in and around Cape Town. The city is located with one of the most stunning backdrops of Table Mountain and offers beautiful beach locations and countryside. Cape Town is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa and is also very cosmopolitan with people of different religions, race, and beliefs living together in the city.

Volunteers in Cape Town work in the city as well as in many different community suburbs such as Grassy Park, Athlone, Philippi, Mitchells Plain, and Belville. Projects are located close to city center as well as in suburban areas and townships.
: Volunteers usually work for 4 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekends off to travel. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.
: All travelers traveling to South Africa should have a valid visa.The citizens from most of the European (including the UK & Ireland), African and South American countries as well as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do NOT need to obtain a Visa beforehand and can stay in the country for a period up to 90 days. However, you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months period.

All participants joining the South Africa volunteer projects for more than 90 days, need to apply for volunteer visa at the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate. Along with the visa application, you need to attach the required supporting documents. Volunteers are provided with the necessary supporting document for their South African visa application. More detailed information shall be provided after you become a Volunteering Solutions’ enrolled participant.
: Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is very well connected and has direct flight connections from European, Middle East, African and some Asian destinations.
South African Airways, KLM Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, Kenya Airways, Condor Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France and Singapore Airlines are? some of the major airlines that have direct connections to Cape Town.
: Cape Town is a safe city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. It has been rated as one of the best places to visit in the world by New York Times in 2014 and receives millions of tourists every year. As in any major metropolis around the world, you need to take general precautions for safety. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by the local coordinator team during the orientation as well as in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant.
: All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to South Africa. To view the general list of vaccinations recommended for your travel to South Africa, click here.
: Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.

If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
: Your program coordinator or a member of the local coordinating team will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc. You will be told about the directions to the project from your accommodation and the mode of transport which you can use. Most preferred mode of transport within the town is the Public Bus, taxis. The coordinator will be happy to guide you regarding anything that you need to know.
: Volunteers in Cape Town are provided accommodation in a volunteer house/ hostel or in homestays in suburbs and communities. The volunteer house/ hostel is centrally located, close to the city center as well as to many cafes, restaurants, and delis. Living in the volunteer hostel is a great opportunity to meet other like-minded volunteers from around the world.

Volunteers staying at the hostel accommodation are provided with self-service breakfast at the hostel on weekdays (Monday – Friday).Supplies such as cereals,eggs,bread with various toppings, coffee/tea, selection of fruits are provided.Lunch, dinner and weekend meals are not included but can be eaten out at any of the affordable eateries or ordered to home as well. Volunteers can also purchase supplies locally and prepare meals in the house kitchen.

For those staying in a host family, you will be provided 3 meals a day, prepared by your host. Breakfast before your project, a packed lunch to take with you and a delicious home cooked meal for dinner.
: While staying with a host family during volunteering in South Africa, you will live in one of the local communities of Cape Town. There you will experience life in a typical South African family, which will be a great cultural experience. You will be provided 3 meals a day, prepared by your host – Breakfast before your project, a packed lunch to take with you and a delicious home cooked meal for dinner.
: Unfortunately the entire volunteering experience is as much about volunteering on your project, as it is about cross-cultural exchange and community building. A lot of that happens through the housing that we have set up by being with like-minded people. Additionally, for safety reasons all volunteers must live in the allotted accommodation.
: Yes, however, you must inform us in advance and also mention about any dietary requirement in your application form.
: Depending on your project placement, you will get evenings and the weekends free, to travel and explore the places. In the evenings, volunteers usually get together and go out for social gatherings, eat out or just relax at the volunteer house. Weekends are free and you can go for short weekend trips.There is a lot to do in Cape Town and you will never experience a dull moment in the city. You can explore the city and go to different places such as Bo-Kaap, Robben Island, climb the Table Mountain or just relax at one of the beautiful beaches in the city. You can also take the Western Cape tour and explore the beautiful wine lands. Get in touch with the country coordinator and know more about the places you can travel to.
: Your program fee does not cover your personal expenses. You will need to provide for yourself your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $70-$80 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you choose to go on weekend trips out of town.
: On arrival, you can change your foreign currency into South African Rands (ZAR) from the Cape Town International Airport. South Africa has a modern banking system and there is an abundance of ATMs and foreign exchange outlets in the city.
: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions South Africa program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit ?the Meet a Volunteer page on our website.

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Still have Questions?

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Get in touch whatever way works best for you.

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(+44)020 3830 6000

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(+44)020 3830 6000

Medical Volunteering in South Africa

Trip Highlights

Overview

Overview

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

Living

Living

Dates

Dates

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Costs

Costs

What are you Paying for?

What's NOT included?

Reviews

Reviews